Tesco object
to bigger
supermarket
for Buxton

MORRISONS have been given permission to extend their Buxton store – despite objections from Tesco.

Explaining the need for the extension, a Morrisons spokesman said: “It is an old Safeway store and the Safeway design is quite different from Morrisons.

“The aisles are very narrow and there is very little space between the shelving and the check-outs. These proposals are to alleviate these problems.”

The application was approved, subject to 21 conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, unanimously by members of High Peak’s Development Control Committee.

The development will see the removal of a large banking to accommodate the 1,253 sq metre extension.

Councillor John Faulkner said: “It is very cramped for staff and their customers.

“I think the issue probably is at what point do we come to overdevelopment of that site.,” he said. “If we agree to this application I would not like to see any further applications.”

Cllr Bob McKeown said the widening of aisles would particularly help mothers with pushchairs or wheelchair users.

Members were told that Tesco’s had objected to the application, stating that the extension could not be justified and went against planning policies.

However members were told that independent retail experts had been called in to look at the proposals and supporting documents submitted, and had determined that the application did meet all the necessary criteria.